Mnangagwa swears in acting prosecutor-general Hodzi

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore in Acting Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi at State House in the capital. Picture: Wilfred Kajese / AFP

Harare ‑ Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday swore in Acting Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi at State House in the capital.

Hodzi, who was deputy prosecutor-general for some time, was appointed to lead the prosecuting division following the suspension of Ray Goba mid-July.

After the swearing in ceremony, Hodzi spoke of his commitment to uphold the Constitution.

“I am determined to curb corruption and other malpractices through prosecuting those found wanting,” he said.

Goba was suspended for misconduct and a tribunal to investigate his suitability to hold office has since been constituted.

Goba, whose appointment was marred by controversy as former President Mugabe denied ever appointing him and announcing the appointment through a government gazette, was sworn in shortly after Mnangagwa assumed presidency.

He is accused of failing to prosecute corruption cases, travelling without a Cabinet authority and using abusive language.

In some of the corruption cases he is accused of failing to handle effectively are those of two former ministers in the Cabinet of Mugabe, Ignatius Chombo (finance and economic development minister) and Godfrey Gandawa (higher and tertiary education, science and technology development deputy minister).

Goba took office from Johannes Tomana, who was removed after a tribunal presented findings that he was incompetent.

Justice, legal and parliamentary affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said investigations into the conduct of Goba would be completed within the next four months.